In this issue, Expansion & Remodeling of Cozumel IMSS Clinic and Hospital, Cozumel Prisoners Released in Remembrance of Miguel Hidalgo Y Costill, Bank of America Partners with Mexico Scotia Bank and in Aurita’s Cozumel Corner the new Volunteer Opportunities Section of TCS.
Expansion & Remodeling of Cozumel IMSS Clinic and Hospital
Cozumel, September 19, 2016.- Mayor Fredy Marrufo Martín accompanied Federal Congresswoman, Sara Ruiz Chávez, and Director (Hospital General Zone Number 2), Jesus Mateos Lopez, on a visit to the Cozumel Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS). The visit is part of the process for the future investment of more than 112 million pesos for the expansion and remodeling of the IMSS Cozumel facility.
The mayor stressed that improving the health space is the result of joint work between the three levels of federal, state and municipal government, teamed with the National Director IMSS, Mikel Arreola Peñaloza and the important support of the federal legislator, Sara Latife Ruiz, from the Chamber of Deputies.
He stressed that this investment will improve the quality and warmth of health services for the thousands of beneficiaries of the IMSS Cozumel. The services at the clinic and hospital have been overwhelmed due to the rate of the population growth of the local community and the arrival of people from other places seeking a better life.
Federal Congresswoman, Sara Latife, expressed her appreciation to Mayor Fredy Marrufo, for his insistence in seeking this project for the improvement of health services on the island. The architectural projection will take place this year, and the work is tentatively scheduled to begin in the first half of 2017.
It should be noted that the draft of the expansion and remodeling consists of the construction of more rooms for family medicine, preventive care and medical specialties; the expansion in the number of hospital beds, emergency room beds, the operating room, pharmacy, waiting room, adding a cubicle for severely ill patients, adding another ultrasound module, and improve the facade, among other things, which will ensure better care health for Cozumeleños.
Cozumel Prisoners Released in Remembrance of Miguel Hidalgo Y Costill
Cozumel, September 16 2016.- Just as 206 years ago when Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla released prisoners to start the struggle for independence, Mayor Fredy Marrufo Martin emulated the act on the night of September 15 in the premises of Public Safety by releasing detainees for administrative offenses.
At exactly 9:30 p.m. Marrufo Martin recalled this event which marked the beginning of the Mexican holiday in which detainees Luis V. N., Abelardo P. D., Ricardo L. P. and Rigoberto P. D., serving time for administrative offences, not gross misconduct, regained their freedom.
Prior to this, the Municipal President, with Gumerciendo Jiménez Cuervo, Director of Public Security, addressed the prisoners to explain the reason why they received such a benefit and urged them to have a better behavior in the community to avoid returning to jail.
He noted that like every year this act is performed as a memory of the night when the hammer of the struggle for independence (Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla), freed prisoners who had been incarcerated in the prison of Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato.
During the ceremony the Cozumeleño Mayor was accompanied by Roberto Marin Flores, Secretary General of the City; Lucio Alfaro Banda, Commander of the Military Garrison; Eliseo Adan Caballero Rosas, Commander of the Naval Sector; Jesús Bañuelos Pineda, Commander of the Military Air Base; as well as councilors Margarita Vázquez Barrios and Rosalba Buenaventura Hernández Rodríguez.
Bank of America Partners with Mexico Scotia Bank
Bank of American has made another agreement with a Scotia Bank effective this week. If you have a Bank of America account, you can now use Scotia bank ATMs in Mexico without additional fees. The only charge will be the currency exchange fee of 3% no other fees.
Aurita’s Cozumel Corner
While those of us living in Cozumel or anywhere in Mexico for that matter, were jumping for joy as the Exchange rate hurled over 20 to 1 this week, the people of Mexico are hurting. I decided to dedicate today’s Aurita’s Corner to a reminder of the economy here in Cozumel and how desperately our friends and neighbors need our help.
In the Volunteer Opportunities Section of TCS I have listed some of the many opportunities available to give back to the Cozumel Community. There are some very active groups like the Rotary Club and Cozumel Red Cross that are supported by the Cozumel Elite that I have not listed. Likewise, there is an Orphanage in Cozumel that is completely funded and is in no need of assistance. If you are aware of a charity that you wish me to include, please provide the information and I will be glad to include it in the Volunteer Opportunities section of TCS.
No matter how small your monthly pension is, it is a fortune to the average Mexican family. There is no minimum hourly wage, there is a daily minimum of wage of $63.77 Mexican Pesos for a full day of work. At an exchange rate of 12.50, this comes to $5.10 US per day. This month (September 2016) the exchange rate hit 20 pesos to 1 US Dollar; a day of work paid the equivalence of $3.19 U.S. dollars.! While in Cozumel go to any grocery store and figure out how to make a meal out of $63.77. Remember, since Cozumel is an island, everything is imported making it more expensive than in the mainland. The cost of gas, trucking and ferry are factored in and passed on to the consumer.
If you are a “legal” employee, your employer is paying into social security for you and you are enrolled in either the social security (IMSS) or another federally operated health plan. (That is another story!) Your work day is 8 hours if by day 7.5 hours if a night shift. If you are lucky enough to hold one of these contracted jobs, chances are you are working a second job to help make ends meet.
In Cozumel, the hiring stops at 35 years of age, there is no law against age discrimination. I am certain this is tied to the fact that the insurance required by law is based on age, the older you are, the higher the premium. This is why you see seniors at the grocery stores working for TIPS ONLY. Parking attendants and people offering to help carry the groceries are also there working for TIPS ONLY. You will see children in their school uniforms also working for tips.
There is an army of workers that are not contracted by anyone. Desperate to find employment, they work for less than the minimum wage, for longer hours, and some for tips only. These people have no health coverage or social security when they get older. These people are also the entrepreneurs you see selling anything they can think of to make a living.
The Mexican people are some of the hardest working people that I know. I have provided the figures on wages and the cost of living in the Volunteer Opportunities section so that you can do the math. There is no excuse for anyone living in Cozumel not giving back to the people that have welcomed us into their home. It does not have to be monetary, you can donate things you no longer need or use, volunteer your time, or volunteer your talents. Get out there and give!
GARAGE SALE SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 24TH
8 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.
EVERYTHING $10 pesos
#1081 35 AVENIDA SUR ENTRE CALLES 17 Y 15 BIS
COLONIA INDEPENDENCIA
NEXT TO PAPELERIA mamá lILLY
Cozumel On Going Cozumel Garage Sale: Thank you for your continued contribution to our garage sale. Please continue bringing your second hand items to us, the funds go to support our efforts in the community.
Clearance Sale: Ladies Tops One Size (Picture Below) Assorted Colors $50 Pesos, Dresses (Pictured Below) One Size Only $100 Pesos! Not Pictured: Traditional Mexican Dresses only $150 Pesos for Fast Sale. These Go for Over $350 Downtown. They Are Cool, Perfect for This Weather and Perfect for A Souvenir Gift for A Friend or Relative.
Please spread the word that I have 2 new Blood Sugar Machines, an used Wheel Chair, a Hurrycane(new)$40 US, a Walker with tray attachment and glider balls (almost new) $50 US , two used regularOrthopedic Canes $100 and $200 pesos, and a huge supply of ultra fine Insulin Needles(two sizes) $10pesos pack of 10.
Papelería Mama Lilly
35 Avenida Sur Entre Calles 17 y 15 Bis
987-120-5903 EMAIL: mapapeleria@outlook.com
We are open from 6:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Saturdays and on Sundays, (When we get home from Church) 11 until 8 p.m.
We sell school and office supplies, make copies, print, laminate, and sell some gifts and novelty items. We are licensed, provide Facturas, and deliver to your home, business, or office.
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